RITAM SRBIJE / RHYTHM OF SERBIA
Naturally, tasting Vojvodina’s famous wines is an in- evitable part of visiting a čarda. The majority of these specific riverside hospitality establishments have been preserved along the stretch of riverbank from Bački Monoštor to Belgrade’s Ušće confluence of the Sava and Danube. And while we’re on the subject of Bački Monoštor, we should note that it’s a Vojvodina village in the mu- nicipality of Sombor that dates back to the medieval era and was first mentioned in historical records of the 13 th century. Located at the heart of the Gornje Podunavl- je Special Nature Reserve, surrounded by the Danube and its tributaries, it is also known as the Village on Seven Danube Rivers, because it can only be accessed by crossing bridges. A wealth of activities are availa- ble in the village – from taking boat trips and carriage rides, visiting music and folklore workshops and an ethno-house, to enjoying the richness of local bird life. Continue onwards and visit the Belegiš river is- lands, named after the village of Belegiš in eastern Srem, on the right bank of the Danube approximate- ly 36km north of Belgrade. The stretch of the Danube passing Belegiš is home to several river islands that to
this day represent genuine small oases for campers and lovers of nature, rivers and fishing. The Belegiš river islands represent a tourism novelty, and are certainly the best and most attractive destinations for swimming and nautical tourism in this part of Srem and Banat. Last, but by no means least, sing along to the songs of Zvonko Bogdan at a salaš farmstead. Stay overnight with hospitable homeowners, lose track of time and the century you’re in, and drift away to Vojvodina’s world that’s filled with good food and magical nature. Salaš ranches dominated the Vojvodina plain long before the arrival of the Turks, with this way of life ac- quiring its own distinctive form over the centuries – each of the local peoples added some aspect of their own culture to the original concept. The salaš farm- steads as we know them today mostly emerged in the mid-19 th century, with the tradition preserved by the homeowner hosts, who have offered up this authen- tic, rustic lifestyle concept as a kind of tourist attrac- tion. Here you’ll most easily feel what it means to lead a simple and healthy life, and to have peace of mind and spirit. When you awaken in the darkest of night before dawn on a salaš and moonlight is the only light you see through the small windows, you’ll realise how easy it sometimes is to be happy.
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